Dr. Donald Pearson is a retired Orthopedic surgeon living in Orlando Florida. His life has been lived serving humanity. Through his practice as a trusted physician, he has healed the physical wounds of thousands and, through the grace of his spirit, counseled the emotional and spiritual needs of thousands more.
Donald has been gifted with the power to heal, to communicate and to love. As a boy, Donald longed to see the big world outside of Florida. After working hard, saving and scheming, he took his first trip abroad and his life was forever changed. The world was beautiful but there are so many in need. Donald knew he could help make a difference.
Over the years, Donald would again and again travel to some new developing country in need of a skilled surgeon. He would rally all around and those in his field to the cause. Donations ranging from basic medical supplies to still sophisticated ‘last years’ models would arrive. The painful struggle of transporting the supplies and getting through customs became perfected. Whatever county he was going to next, they would prepare for his arrival, scheduling patients to be seen just hours after his landing. Time was always short and there were always many more patients still in need of care.
Donald shared the world and passion for helping others with his wife, Barbara and their four children who often accompanied him to distant places during summer vacations. Now adults, the experiences were formative in his children’s development and each have found their own way to continue the legacy of serving humanity.
After many years of work in many countries and after retiring from active practice, Donald and Barbara felt a calling to Ethiopia. Ethiopia is special and fate presented them with an opportunity to serve humanity once again. In 2009, Donald and Barbara moved to Ethiopia where they lived on the grounds of MCM Hospital in Addis Ababa. Donald served on the staff over the Orthopedic department and Barbara taught English. Four years in Ethiopia they gave and were blessed.
Now, back in Orlando, Florida, Donald brings his love of humanity, his passion for helping those in need and his lifetime of experiences in ‘getting things done’ to the Water is Life Ethiopia team.
